Puppy Goes Into Defense Mode After Seeing Mirror Reflection

Serious question: what does your dog see when looking in the mirror? Does it perhaps see a partner for a game, or even sometimes an enemy? And more importantly, can a dog recognize itself in its reflection?

All these questions are almost impossible to answer matter-of-factly, and it is unfortunate that dogs cannot give their perspective in a way that we would understand them. Therefore, scientists who study the intelligence of animals have created a test that would allow them to measure these concepts that are difficult to understand. This test involves the use of an object that is available in every home - mirrors. It is called the mirror recognition test itself, and since its introduction in the seventies it remains the "gold standard" in determining the existence self-consciousness in living beings. Elephants, chimpanzees and dolphins belong to the animals that passed this test, which suggested that they have an awareness of themselves. But in a large number of other primates, as well as other highly intelligent creatures, such as octopuses, the mirror either caused embarrassment, or did not arouse any interest.

Dogs, for example, as you surely know, if you have ever had a dog, give confusing results on this-this test. They either do not understand, or do not care about what happens to the two-dimensional mirror image of the animal, which emit no smell. They can try to fight a dog in the mirror or play with it, but very few dogs demonstrate a behavior that would show that they recognize the reflection as their own. In accordance with the standards established by the test, this means that dogs lack the capacity for self-identification.

Which of us was not amused with the way dogs react to their reflection in the mirror? Some try to play with their reflection, others - are alert, bristle and stare at it. There are others who, clearly surprised that the reflection repeats their movements, approach the mirror to better view it. Often dogs just do not pay attention to the mirror. It can be concluded that the dog, seeing its reflection, reacts to it as another dog, like this Golden Retriever puppy in the video at the top of the page.

This pup sees a stranger in the oven mirror and starts barking at it. The strange doggy shape on the other side does not seem to be intimidated not even a single bit and barks back simultaneously mimicking the tone, inflection and jargon. How can this be? The puppy is so young that you can see the though clouds forming above its cute little head: “Who can be so big and brave like me?” and not wanting a conflict inside its own home, it starts retreating. It is gliding its tushie backwards, as if wanting to keep a safe distance but not look too scared. Look at it turning its head left and right, searching for backup! This puppy really cannot understand it is barking at its own reflection!

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